Read Lily (Suitors of Seattle) for Free Online Page B

briefly between both her own.
    Lily was surprised nothing was said about the kiss, but she was sure she’d hear about it later.  Her parents had an affection for Daniel, and always had, but that didn’t mean they wanted him kissing their daughters in the parlor when no one was looking.
    “Yes, ma’am if that’s all right with you, of course.”  Daniel was obviously flustered at being caught mid-kiss with Lily.  He jumped to his feet and waited for Mary to sit down.  When she sat across the room in an overstuffed chair, he resumed his spot beside Lily.
    As soon as he was seated, Lily wound her fingers through his.  She couldn’t seem to stop touching him.  Even the feel of his palm on hers was enough to send shivers down her spine. 
    Mary didn’t miss the sight of their hands twining together, but said nothing about it.  “How are you enjoying working at the bank, Daniel?  Do you think it’s something you’ll always do?”
    Daniel nodded slowly.  “I have always loved working with numbers.  Banking seems to be something that was meant just for me.  I’m really glad your husband took a chance on me.”  He rubbed his thumb across the palm of Lily’s hand and felt her shudder slightly beside him.
    “I’m glad you enjoy it.  I’m sure Fred’s not always easy to work for.”
    “I disagree.  He’s been a good boss.  I have no complaints whatsoever.”  He swallowed hard.  Lily had leaned into him and they were pressed together from knee to shoulder.  How was he supposed to talk to someone when he was lusting after her daughter? 
    Fred stepped into the room.  “I’m happy to hear it.”  He held his hand out to Daniel to shake.  “Am I going to be seeing you all the time now?  Office all day?  Home all night?”
    Daniel shook his head.  “If I’m around too much…”   He didn’t want to not be with Lily, but he didn’t want to make her father and his boss angry either.
    Fred laughed and waved his answer off.  “Not at all, boy.  We’re glad to have you here.”  He took a seat beside his wife.  “Is dinner ready yet?”
    She stood.  “I’ll just go check and see how much longer.”  She patted his hand as she headed for the door, coming back less than a minute later.  “It’s ready now.”  She looked at Lily.  “Get your sisters for supper please.”
    Lily stood and wondered if she should just yell at them like she usually did or go get them.  After a moment, she opened her mouth and bellowed, “Time to eat!”  If Daniel couldn’t marry the woman she was, he certainly wouldn’t be happy when she didn’t change after the wedding.
    He chuckled softly at the sight of her mother’s mortified face.  “Lily!  You should have gone to find them.”  She shook her head in disgust.
    Lily shrugged.  “They’re coming.”  She glanced at Daniel and saw he wasn’t the least offended by her uncouth ways.  She breathed a sigh of relief.  She knew he’d seen it all, but she’d hoped he hadn’t thought she changed because she started wearing dresses and had her hair up all the time.
    She held his arm as they went into dinner together.  He took the spot beside her he’d occupied the last time he was there on Saturday evening.  As her sisters filed into the room, the various smiles alarmed him.  Iris was obviously just delighted to see him, but the look in Jasmine’s eyes was downright scary.  What did she have planned?
    He didn’t have to wait long to find out.  Halfway through the meal, Jasmine lifted her head and stared straight at Lily.  “So, Lily, how do you like kissing Daniel?”
    Lily shrugged.  “It’s okay, I guess.”  She squeezed his hand under the table in some sort of signal that he didn’t quite understand.  Was she telling him to stay quiet?
    Jasmine made a face, obviously annoyed that Lily wasn’t rising to the bait.  “You sure looked like you were enjoying it the other night.”
    “Someday you’ll be old enough to